Weber State Falls At UW In Eric Duft’s Head Coaching Debut
Nov 7, 2022, 11:24 PM
(Courtesy of Weber State Athletics)
(Courtesy of Weber State Athletics)
SALT LAKE CITY – The Weber State men’s basketball program fell in its season opener to the Washington Huskies of the Pac-12 Conference.
The Huskies hosted the Wildcats at Alaska Airlines Arena in Seattle, Washington on Monday, November 7.
Weber State was defeated by UW, 69-52. It was Eric Duft’s debut as Weber State’s head coach.
'Cats fall in the season opener at Washington.
The home opener is Thursday night against Western Colorado. #WeAreWeber pic.twitter.com/fg8Kp0maig
— Weber State MBB 🏀 (@WeberStateMBB) November 8, 2022
The Wildcats and Huskies were in a tight battle for the opening 10 minutes of action before Weber State built a six-point lead. Washington fought back to regain the lead shortly before the halftime break. The Huskies held the Wildcats scoreless over the final four minutes of the first half and took an eight-point lead in the halftime break.
After the two teams came out of the locker room, the Wildcats managed to trim UW’s lead to three points near the midway point of the final 20 minutes of game time, but that’s as close as Weber State would get to the Huskies.
Junior Ballard 3️⃣!
Wildcats lead 22-16
📺 Pac-12 Washington Networkhttps://t.co/EgQsmaxc7G#WeAreWeber pic.twitter.com/39wvAZjElZ
— Weber State MBB 🏀 (@WeberStateMBB) November 8, 2022
Washington maintained control and built its lead up to 17 points late in the game.
Weber State finished the night shooting 35.6 percent overall and only 17.4 percent on three-pointes. Washington shot 47.1 percent from the field, including 31.6 from deep.
Handje Tamba throws it down for his first two points as a Wildcat!
📺 Pac-12 Network #WeAreWeber pic.twitter.com/IVNQjrv0eO
— Weber State MBB 🏀 (@WeberStateMBB) November 8, 2022
The Wildcats struggled with UW’s size and length through the contest. Washington had seven blocks and to zero by Weber State. The Huskies also beat the Wildcats on the glass with a rebounding advantage of 35-24.
The Wildcats had two players reach double figures in scoring. Keith Dinwiddie Jr. led Weber State with 14 points on 4-7 shooting. He added one rebound and a steal. Steven Verplancken added 12 points on 4-9 field goals.
.@Stevenv_jr with a 3️⃣!
📺 Pac-12 Networkhttps://t.co/EgQsmaxc7G#WeAreWeber pic.twitter.com/yA1z50woV6
— Weber State MBB 🏀 (@WeberStateMBB) November 8, 2022
Kelon Brooks Jr. carried the Huskies with 20 points.
With the loss, the Wildcats opened the season with an 0-1 record.
Coach Duft on the season opener. #WeAreWeber pic.twitter.com/pnbsvGtjo0
— Weber State MBB 🏀 (@WeberStateMBB) November 8, 2022
Weber State’s next game is a home opener at the Dee Events Center in Ogden against the Western Colorado Mountaineers. ESPN Analytics gives the Wildcats a 90.5 percent chance at defeating Western Colorado for their first win.
